Left-back Kai Wagner will become Marvin Ducksch’s teammate at Birmingham City after six years with Philadelphia Union.
Kai Wagner is moving from Philadelphia Union in the North American professional league MLS to English second-tier club Birmingham City.
His new club, whose owners include football icon Tom Brady, is reportedly paying a transfer fee of around 2.5 million for the Swabian native, whose contract in Philadelphia was valid until 2027.
Kai Wagner leaves Philadelphia Union and the MLS
Wagner three times in the MLS All-Star Team
Wagner (28) moved from Würzburger Kickers to the USA in 2019 and has since been one of the league’s best left-backs. He was selected to the All-Star Team three times and to the Team of the Year twice.
Philadelphia’s coach Bradley Carnell, a professional in Germany for twelve years, praised Wagner upon his departure, specifically for his “strong leadership qualities, both on and off the field.”
Wagner becomes teammate of former Werder attacker Ducksch
According to Carnell, Wagner had expressed a desire “to continue his career in Europe, as he believes this is the right step for him and his family.”
Birmingham is currently 14th in the English second division, and Wagner will meet two other Germans there: Phil Neumann and Marvin Ducksch.